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Gary Lineker has announced his departure from the BBC after an antisemitism row.
Earlier this week, the 64-year-old ‘apologised unreservedly’ after sparking controversy for sharing and then deleting a video on his Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby he did not realise was illustrated with a picture of a rat.
Acknowledging he had caused ‘error and upset’, Lineker said in a statement that exiting the broadcaster now seemed the ‘responsible course of action.’
The former Leicester striker said: ‘Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.
‘I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
‘However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.’
BBC director-general Tim Davie said in a statement that it had been agreed that Lineker would ‘step back from presenting’ after the current season.
The Sun previously claimed BBC bosses considered Lineker’s position ‘untenable’ after the most recent controversy.
Davie said: ‘Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.
‘Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.’
What was in Gary Lineker’s Instagram post?
Lineker shared a video from the group Palestine Lobby on his Instagram page, which featured an illustration of a rat over an explanation of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The caption on the video read: ‘Zionism explained in two minutes.’
Additionally, on Lineker’s Instagram Stories, was the message: ‘Why. Does. This. Still. Have. To. Be. Explained? Why?’
The rat has long been an antisemitic symbol linked to Nazi Germany.
Jewish people were often represented as rats or cockroaches in Nazi propaganda as the political party rose to power in Germany.
Lineker will leave the BBC following the conclusion of Match of the Day next weekend and will no longer present next year’s FA Cup coverage or the 2026 World Cup.
He will also reportedly not receive a financial settlement from the broadcaster, according to The Times.
On Instagram, celebrities sent Lineker supportive messages, including comedian John Bishop.
He wrote: ‘Gary you leave a great legacy as a player, as a presenter and as a man. Good luck with everything else you do next.’
Lisa Moorish said: ‘A new chapter!! It’s time. And I can’t wait to see you continuing with your humanitarian and anti racism work going forward, now that you are free from the shackles of the BBC. Onwards and upwards!’
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Iwan Thomas added: ‘Always been a proper gentleman since met and occasionally worked with since the mid 90s.. Without doubt one of, if not the BEST broadcasters of my generation, oh and not bad at sticking a ball in the net too… good luck in the future.’
In November, it was revealed that the former England player was stepping down from Match Of The Day after 25 years, but had renewed his contract to host the two football competitions.
In March 2023, Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC and Match Of The Day after an impartiality row.
The broadcaster took action after he compared the language used to launch a Government asylum seeker policy to 1930s Germany on social media.
Benching Lineker sparked backlash and resulted in a number of his fellow pundits, including Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, boycotting the football highlights programme.
Lineker later returned to the show and faced no disciplinary action. However, new BBC social media rules have since banned flagship presenters from attacking political parties.
Speaking about the furore at the Hay Festival in Powys, Lineker said: ‘I think it is a great shame, what happened, because it pretty much pitched me against the BBC. I love the BBC.’
Early last year, Lineker said he received ‘threats’ after he retweeted and later deleted a post on social media that called for Israel to be banned from international sporting events, including football.
Speaking to The Guardian about the backlash, Lineker confirmed he had ‘received threats’ and said: ‘It’s not about me. I am not the victim here.’
He added: ‘If you lean to one side or the other, the levels of attack are extraordinary. How could it be controversial to want peace? I just don’t understand it.’
Lineker joined the BBC as a Radio Five Live presenter in the 90s, also working on Grandstand during his early years in broadcasting.
In 1999, he replaced Des Lynam as presenter on Match Of The Day.
Lineker has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years and was estimated to have earned £1.35 million in the year 2023/24, according to the corporation’s annual report published in July.
When he stepped down, it was reported that he was open to staying on at Match Of The Day but was not offered a new deal for the show.
The Leicester-born star will be replaced by Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman, who will share the presenting role on Match Of The Day from the next Premier League season.
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